The end of P&O Australia as Carnival Cruise Line absorbs the brand. Farewell Pacific Explorer.

June 4th 2024, Carnival Corporation announced they are "sunsetting" the P&O Australia brand and it is to be "absorbed" by Carnival Cruise Line. It was also announced that Pacific Explorer is to exit service in March 2025.
In this video we discuss the breaking news and possible changes that could be expected.

[@JohnMouland]

Thanks Ami, enjoyed hearing your thought about this announcement. I have posted my full thoughts on the CCF Facebook page but in summary here is my take on this situation. I am not surprised with this weeks announcement. I think P&O have made a decision based on the financial sustainability of their business and many companies globally are undertaking similar reviews, in this tough financial climate. I hope that Carnival can find a business model where they provide a modern fleet to the Australian cruise market, at a price point where Australians can afford to cruise, and the cruise line can make enough profit to survive and reinvest in their offerings. 😃

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

Hi John! Thank you for your input. I very much agree with everything you said. At least CCL have a strong line and brand and as you said, ‘affordable’. I think they will be ok but sad to say farewell to an iconic Aussie Cruise Line.

[@bels4116]

I was on Explorer in feb too, I saw the same things about the deck and railings as well. The wonderful thing about Explorer was catching a tram straight to the ship, so wish more ships went from melbourne.

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

Yeah unfortunately it was quite evident the wear and tear but it didn’t hamper our experience. We are a bit further then a tram ride away but easy enough to get a lift. It’s just a lot easier and cheaper than having a full travel day with flights, hotel and food.

[@debandmattchat]

Sad news indeed. Lots of unanswered questions for southern cruisers like you guys and lots of capacity reductions in Australia, but particularly down south. Nett loss of capacity overall with Pacific Explorer gone too. Cruising with Sarah is awesome.

[@u2cancatchme]

❤ looking forward to their new adventure

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

It will be interesting to see the changes once they are absorbed for sure.

[@skyes7369]

We have so little choice here in Australia. P&O was really only the illusion of choice but from what people I know who are P&O devotees have said the line was less of a party line than carnival & less for kids so there were more couples & groups of older travellers just wanting to relax. I wonder if they will keep that more relaxing less of a party feel when they convert over.

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

Thank you for watching. Yeah, it’s interesting. Since they aren’t changing much it will be interesting to see if the demographic changes or if the older travellers choose not I change to Princess. Only time will tell.

[@CyeOutsider]

I sailed on the Pacific Explorer January in 2024. It was our first P&O cruise, after going on a Princess Cruise the year before. I agree that the common spaceswere lovely - very nicely refurbished. I didn't see too much rust or wear and tear on the ship itself. But for some reason half the bain-maries in The Pantry was shut for repairs for about 3 days of our trip. It was frustrating and very inconvenience. I guess is was one of the signs that the ship really wasn't up to snuff and was in need of repair. We have another P&O cruise booked for January 2025, departing Brisbane and yes the cost hike that goes with flying to cruise is huge.

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

Thanks for watching. Hopefully the encounter is in better condition for you being a newer ship. Yeah, I’m really hoping we eventually get a replacement down here in Melbourne.

[@lisalopez4731]

Hi, love your video very informative. You are 100 percent correct Princess is not a family oriented ship. I was one of the younger ones and I’m in my 50s 😝. As long as children are happy to do the kids clubs though,they will have a ball. They will get lots of attention as they are not lots of kids. Tbh there were very few kids on my princess summer cruise last year , however the kids onboard were so lovely and so well behaved, probably better behaved then some adults. Btw since recording your video I’m afraid the cruise industry in Australia is worse than I thought. Unfortunately due to the loss of the explorer, the 50 percent cut back of princess , the cancelling of virgin and all the other lines, it’s looking bleak for Australia. In the next 12 to 24 months the cruising capacity here will be reduced by 40 percent. I’m just gutted.😮

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

Thank you for watching!!! Our Princess cruise is only 2 days reposition so there should be minimal time for them to get bored. I agree that often the children can be better behaved than adults. I have seen the same information about the loss of 40% capacity and it’s shattering. I really hope CLIA can work with the government to start attracting ships again rather than pricing them out. It is looking dire.

[@victorkhalil1050]

Hi I mentioned what u said abt catching boat from sydney specially for people in melb or Adelaide coz I done it k last year and ĺike what u said spending almost 2000$ before u get on Am doing it again this 25 august lucky I managed to book at Ibis darling harbour for 165$ thru travelzoo try them U doing a great job

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

Thank you for watching. That’s a great price. I’ve never heard of travel zoo, I might look into it. We generally stay near the airport at the Stamford plaza for around $250 rather than paying over $500 near circular Quay. It saves us money but it really is the flights x 4 that gets us.

[@victorkhalil1050]

@CruiseCrazedFam watch my follow up msg detailing how u can cut Ur travel to syd by more than half travelzoo is lot bigger than Ur average travel company it may be bigger than flight center I think but read google info abt them good luck

[@alicruiserandtraveller]

So sad we did our first cruises on p&o. Just did our 8th on princess and it's definitely full of older passengers we actually had people ask us why we're on the ship lol and we are in our 50s.we did have a good time though.

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

Haha, that’s so funny. My parents are Princess fans and after I dropped them off for their last cruise dad text me and said they were the youngest ones there and they are early 60s. 😂 With P&O ending it’s definitely end of an era. 😢

[@crawf1993ify]

I really wish we had more ships here in Melbourne, would be way easier. Guess we can dream

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

Absolutely. Unfortunately our state government played a massive part in the limited ships too. Our port taxes are too high so there is no incentive for the ships to come here. Now we have lost even P&O… 😮‍💨😩💔

[@crawf1993ify]

@@CruiseCrazedFam yep that is exactly right!!, they say that want tourism back yet push the lines to not even want to come here. After going in my first cruise nearly a month ago on the carnival splendor, just imagining how good it would be to be able to hop on close to hope would be amazing but I guess that’s not happening

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

I LOVE Splendor. She has become a second home for us and I can’t wait for our next cruise. I agree very jealous of those in Sydney and Brisbane who can just hop on and off without the additional cost of flights etc.

[@crawf1993ify]

@@CruiseCrazedFam it definitely was the time of my life on the ship, already booked my next one haha

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

@@crawf1993ify that’s how the addiction starts. 😜🤣

[@allisotiroff1768]

Haha - life in WA we always have to fly to jump on a carnival / P&O or princess. Very little docks in Perth since covid

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

Yeah it’s bad enough here, I really feel for you guys in Perth. Unfortunately you have little to no cruise options locally.

[@moniquecmclaren]

As someone who was never interested in cruising, a week ago I booked my very first mini cruise on Pacific Explorer out of Melbourne at the end of 2024 to see if we like cruising....I even convinced another couple to try their first cruise with us also. I hope I haven't made a mistake...lol Maybe we're lucky to even get the chance, as if I'm understanding your perspective, this won't be an option after March 2025?

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

You could possibly be on the same cruise as me! You definitely haven’t made a mistake. If anything we are trying to squeeze in while we can. You will love it! We did. Check out my vlogs from February. There is still a lot of fun to have and honestly Explorer is definitely one of the oldest mainstream cruise ship in Aussie waters.

[@moniquecmclaren]

@@CruiseCrazedFam Yes, I think we are. We'll be the ones looking a bit lost, but having fun anyway :) I'll check your vlogs. I've been binging KZbin content so we can make the most of it. Enjoy your trip

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

Haha, come say hi if you see me! I’ll help you out. First cruise is the best cruise, it’s always new and exciting.

[@THEDOWNUNDERCRUISERS]

Thanks for your info.

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

You’re welcome! I just saw you are from Melbourne too? Such a sad situation for Melbourne cruisers right now. 😭

[@THEDOWNUNDERCRUISERS]

@@CruiseCrazedFam It is but here is hoping that Station Pioer can get their act together and Carnival keeps some of the themed cruises... could we collaborate at some point?

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

@@THEDOWNUNDERCRUISERS they had better! It makes no sense. I guess they don’t see the cruise/tourism income potential. Apparently CLIA help to point them in the right direction. Apparently Australia has lost 40% of our cruise capacity recently. 😩

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

@@THEDOWNUNDERCRUISERS btw, definitely keen to collaborate!

[@victorkhalil1050]

Am back again lol to save some money and avoid hotel and taxi try the overnight train will be fun for the kids then u have breakfast in sydney and its only 4 stops and u in circular key what do u think will cost say600 dollars all up

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

I don’t think my kids could sit still that long, haha: it’s a great idea though. Worth looking into.

[@victorkhalil1050]

@CruiseCrazedFam Ur kids will crush after 10 or they will be busy with ipad however u can always give it a go

[@CruiseCrazedFam]

@@victorkhalil1050 will look into it. Thank you